Key facts

Become a registered clinical psychologist

The Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a competitive-entry professional programme that will train you to become a registered clinical psychologist.

What is it like?

The Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a professional qualification that prepares you to integrate practice and research in your career as a clinical psychologist.

Places on this programme are highly sought-after and there is a competitive entry process.

Clinical psychology is an applied branch of psychology. It uses psychological techniques to help people solve a wide variety of mental, physical, behavioural and relationship problems.

What does the programme cover?

The Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a full-time programme. You’ll take courses and do practica placements, an internship of supervised full-time practical work for at least one academic year, and a doctoral dissertation (thesis).

Develop practical skills

You’ll get practical skills through practica placements. This is typically three placements in a variety of health service agencies: child and family, community mental health, drug and alcohol, rehabilitation, secondary care, forensic, Massey Student Counselling, Psychological Services/Department of Corrections, and the Massey psychology clinics.

Get a diverse perspective

Massey is committed to the principles embodied in the Treaty of Waitangi. You’ll be well trained from a variety of perspectives and be sensitive to the needs of people from diverse backgrounds and across the lifespan.

Our staff has a range of experience and interests, and approach clinical work from a variety of empirical and theoretical frameworks.

The scientist-practitioner model

Clinical training at Massey is based on the scientist-practitioner model, which emphasises the need for clinical psychologists to have a strong research background as well as clinical skills. You’ll formulate an approach to understanding human behaviour that has a strong theoretical base and will serve as a guide in your professional career.

Internationally recognised and market-leading in New Zealand

Massey graduates more researchers and clinical psychologists than any other university in New Zealand.

We’re connected to a wide range of community and statutory organisations, and produce unique and applied psychology research and training that’s recognised nationally and internationally. This expertise enhances the reputation of your degree and ensures your knowledge is relevant to today’s society.

Massey is ranked in the world’s top 300 universities for psychology by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking.